Average Cost of Pet Insurance
The average cost of pet insurance is $62 per month for dogs and $32 per month for cats. Quotes vary widely based on your pet’s breed, age... Read More
Compare the Best Pet Insurance Plans for Dogs and Cats
Lemonade is the best pet insurance company overall. It offers cheap rates and lots of coverage options.
Find the Cheapest Pet Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Pet insurance comparison
Cost for dogs per month
Cost for cats per month
Plan options
Company |
Deductible
|
Annual max.
|
Reimburses
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | $100-$750 | $5K-$100K | 60%-90% |
| Figo | $100-$750 | $5K-unlimited | 70%-90% |
| MetLife | $50-$500 | $2K-$10K | 70%-90% |
| Embrace | $100-$1K | $2K-unlimited | 70%-90% |
| Pumpkin | $100-$1K | $5K-unlimited | 80%,90% |
| Spot | $100-$1K | $2.5K-unlimited | 70%-90% |
| ASPCA | $100-$500 | $2.5K-$10K | 70%-90% |
| Fetch | $250-$400 | $5K-$10K | 70%-90% |
Coverage options
Find the Cheapest Pet Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Best pet insurance overall: Lemonade
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Cheapest rate for dogs$16Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Puppies$34Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Senior dogs$102Quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
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Cats$12-$72Low-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. High-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
From the Experts
Lemonade offers the cheapest rates, along with many ways to upgrade your pet's coverage.
Lemonade has the most affordable pet insurance rates, along with helpful preventive care add-ons. Basic pet insurance for dogs costs around $16 per month, while cat owners pay $12 per month, on average.
Lemonade pet insurance coverage options
Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base plan | |||
| One wellness exam | |||
| One parasite test | |||
| Three vaccines | |||
| One heartworm or FeLV/FIV test | |||
| One blood test | |||
| Routine dental cleaning | |||
| Flea, tick or heartworm medication |
You can also add on coverage for vet visit fees, physical therapy, behavioral conditions, dental illness and post-life expenses.
Lemonade is also a great option for puppies and kittens.
It offers a package that includes spaying or neutering, microchipping and up to six vaccines or boosters.
However, Lemonade is available in only 41 states and Washington, D.C. If you can't get Lemonade insurance, you should consider Embrace, which also has cheap rates and good coverage options.
Best customizable pet insurance plans: Spot
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Cheapest rate for dogs$27Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Puppies$70Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Senior dogs$425Quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
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Cats$21-$206Low-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. High-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
From the Experts
Spot offers lots of ways to personalize your pet's policy and find coverage within your budget.
Best pet insurance for older pets: Figo
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Cheapest rate for dogs$17Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Puppies$48Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Senior dogs$237Quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
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Cats$17-$159Low-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. High-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
From the Experts
Figo protects older pets who may not be eligible for coverage elsewhere.
Figo is a great option if you have an older pet because it insures pets of any age. Many other insurance companies have maximum age limits for pet health insurance.
The company also offers unlimited annual coverage and 100% reimbursement. That can help owners of elderly pets avoid expensive medical bills. However, these options will make your insurance rates go up.
Figo offers two wellness programs, along with accident and illness coverage.
The wellness programs can help cover the cost of vaccinations, spay or neuter procedures, blood work, heartworm prevention and dental cleaning.
Figo has a very short waiting period if your pet has an accident — just one day, which is shorter than most major companies. However, if your pet has a curable preexisting condition, they'll need a clean bill of health for a full year before Figo will pay to treat any new symptoms.
For example, say your dog had an ear infection six months before your policy starts. If he gets another ear infection two months from now, Figo won't cover it.
In addition, Figo's wellness programs don't cover routine dental work. Many other companies allow you to upgrade your policy to include this expense. So if you're worried about paying for routine dental care, you may want to choose a different option.
Best pet insurance for animals with preexisting conditions: Pumpkin
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Cheapest rate for dogs$24Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Puppies$63Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Senior dogs$387Quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
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Cats$19-$185Low-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. High-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
From the Experts
Pumpkin is the best choice for pets with curable preexisting conditions, because of its short waiting period and customizable coverage.
Pumpkin is a great option for pets with a curable preexisting condition. That's because it has one of the shortest waiting periods for preexisting conditions, at 180 days, which is around six months.
If your pet is sick prior to having pet insurance, most companies won't cover ongoing expenses associated with that illness. However, some insurance companies will offer your pet coverage for curable conditions after they've been healthy for a set period of time. This is called a waiting period.
Pumpkin's basic policy also includes more coverage than many other companies.
For example, Pumpkin covers rehab therapies, such as acupuncture and hydrotherapy. It also helps pay for prescription food and supplements, such as joint and bone health vitamins prescribed by your vet.
However, Pumpkin doesn't offer coverage for regular dental cleanings or spay and neuter procedures. So while it's a great option for serious medical care, it may not be as beneficial if you're looking for regular wellness coverage.
Best pet insurance for multiple pets: MetLife
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Cheapest rate for dogs$20Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
-
Puppies$63Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
-
Senior dogs$152Quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
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Cats$19-$148Low-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. High-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
From the Experts
MetLife allows you to insure multiple pets on the same policy, which could save you money.
MetLife is the best option if you have multiple pets because you can insure up to three pets on the same policy. This is helpful because all of your pets will share the same deductible, which can save you a lot of money.
For example, say you have two dogs — let's call them Max and Bella — on your MetLife policy, and it has a $250 deductible. If Max gets hurt and has to go to the vet, you'll pay $250 before your pet insurance kicks in. But if you have to take Bella to the vet soon after that, you won't have to pay any more money out of pocket.
Otherwise, if each pet had their own policy, you'd have to pay that deductible twice, for a total of $500.
The one downside to sharing a policy is that your pets will also share the annual maximum coverage amount.
Unlike many other companies, MetLife doesn't have an unlimited coverage option. Its highest limit is $10,000 per year. If you have an older or accident-prone pet, that may not be enough coverage for your full pet family.
Another benefit to MetLife's pet insurance is that there's no waiting period for accidents or preventive care. So you could buy a policy with wellness coverage and take your pet to the vet the following day, and MetLife would still help cover the cost. Most other companies require you to wait around two weeks before you can use your policy.
Best puppy insurance: Fetch
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Cheapest rate for dogs$31Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
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Puppies$50Quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit.
-
Senior dogs$248Quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
-
Cats$22-$136Low-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. High-coverage quotes are for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited or the highest available annual limit.
From the Experts
Fetch can help pay for spay or neuter surgery, vaccines and microchipping, which are essential for new puppy parents.
How do I choose the best pet medical insurance plan?
When shopping for pet insurance, it's important to compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best plan for your pet.
Before you get quotes, decide how much coverage you need.
You should choose the same coverage levels with each company so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison.
5 tips to find the best pet insurance
Get pet insurance sooner, rather than later.
Unlike health insurance for humans, pet insurance policies usually don't cover preexisting conditions. If you wait until your pet gets sick to buy coverage, it may be too late to get a plan that will pay for tests and treatment. And some companies don't offer coverage to older pets.
A plan with both accident and illness coverage is often the best choice.
These plans cost more per month. But at some point, your pet will probably need medical care for both types of health issues.
Research your pet's breed history to see if there are any genetic conditions or illnesses your pet is likely to develop.
Then, confirm the insurance company covers that condition. Some plans only cover hereditary or congenital diseases if your pet has insurance before their second birthday.
Read the fine print to make sure you understand what's covered.
For example, does the policy pay for vet visits, diagnosis and treatment fees, and prescriptions? It's important to compare policies because coverage can vary by company.
Understand the plan maximums.
Is there a maximum amount the insurance company will pay per year or per incident? Is there a lifetime limit, or does it reset every year? For example, if your plan resets each year and has an annual limit of $5,000, and your pet needs a $10,000 surgery in any given year, you'll have to pay half the cost.
What to look for when buying pet insurance
A basic pet health insurance plan generally includes accident and illness coverage. However, many companies give you the option to add on wellness or preventive care coverage for an extra cost.
Accident and illness coverage is a good idea for most pet owners. This is especially true if you're concerned about how you'll pay for unexpected vet bills in the future.
But wellness coverage may not be worth the cost, depending on your pet's needs and the price of vet visits in your area.
To find a plan that offers the right benefits for your pet, it's important to understand what each plan includes and anything that's not covered.
Preexisting condition
A preexisting condition is an illness or injury that your pet had before your plan coverage started, or before the initial waiting period was over.
Pet insurance plans typically don't cover preexisting conditions. That means if symptoms started before you bought pet insurance, insurance won't cover any associated costs. However, some plans will treat any healable or curable disease after a waiting period.
Incident
An incident is a broad term that means any medical event leading to vet exams or office visits, blood work, treatment plans, medications, hospital stays and follow-up visits.
Accident
An accident is typically an unexpected incident that you can't prevent. Pet insurance for accidents can cover emergencies including broken bones, burns, swallowed objects, poisoning and broken teeth.
Illness
An illness is any general sickness, disease, infection or medical problem that isn't an accident. Examples include allergies, diabetes, heart disease, upset stomach, skin bites and cancer.
Chronic condition
A chronic condition is a medical condition that requires ongoing care. Allergies, cancer and hip dysplasia are some examples of chronic issues.
Hereditary condition
Certain breeds are more likely to develop specific illnesses, called hereditary conditions. Plans may not cover hereditary conditions for your pet's breed. And there may be an extra deductible if insurance does cover the condition.
Some insurance plans even exclude associated or secondary diseases related to hereditary issues.
For example, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and German shepherds are more likely to develop epilepsy than other breeds. So an insurance company might not cover issues related to it.
Congenital condition
A congenital condition is a defect or unique condition that your pet is born with. For example, congenital kidney disease, or familial renal disease, is common in shih tzus.
Alternative or holistic therapy
Alternative or holistic therapy can include chiropractic treatments or acupuncture. Some plans cover any kind of care recommended by a vet. But others exclude these alternative treatments.
Wellness
Wellness care is anything that generally keeps your pet from developing a health condition. Wellness treatments typically include vaccines, dental care and treatment for fleas, ticks and heartworms. Pet insurance companies usually offer this as an optional add-on or include it in their upgraded packages.
Exclusions
Sometimes, the number of items excluded under insurance plans is bigger than the number of items covered. Common exclusions are declawing, accidents or injuries caused by pet owners, and administrative fees related to vet visits.
Waiting period
Most plans have a waiting period before you can start getting benefits. It is typically around 14 days.
How much pet insurance coverage do I need?
To decide how much pet insurance you need, you have to consider how much you can afford on a monthly basis as well as in an emergency. The more protection you have, the more you'll pay for coverage.
The amount your insurance will reimburse you after a vet visit depends on three main factors.
Most companies offer lots of options when it comes to deductibles, reimbursement percentages and coverage limits.
If you're comparing pet insurance quotes online, it's easy to choose different coverage limits and see how they change your monthly rate. Doing this can help you make a decision about the right level of coverage for you and your pet.
It's also important to look at the specific coverage options offered by each company. Some pet insurance companies don't cover preexisting or hereditary conditions, such as hip dysplasia.
The best pet insurance companies offer add-ons that you can use to take care of your pet's specific needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pet insurance?
Is it worth shopping around for pet insurance?
Pet owners should always compare insurance companies to find the best price and policy for their pet. Some companies are much more expensive than others. For example, Lemonade offers puppy insurance for around $34 per month, while a policy from Nationwide costs $80 per month.
However, the coverage offered by each company is also different. It's important to find a policy that offers the right coverage for your pet.
Who has the best pet insurance for multiple pets?
MetLife offers great coverage for multiple pets because you can insure up to three pets on the same plan. That can help you save money because you'll need to pay your deductible only once.
What Is Pet Insurance and How Does It Work?
Pet insurance can help cover medical costs if your pet is injured or gets sick.... Read More
Methodology
To find the best pet insurance, ValuePenguin editors gathered quotes from 11 of the largest pet insurance companies that offer online quotes. Rates are for a range of pet profiles, including a 2-year-old Chihuahua, a 9-year-old golden retriever and a 3-year-old domestic shorthair cat.
Quotes are for basic accident and illness coverage. ValuePenguin collected quotes for a plan with low coverage limits and higher coverage limits, as follows:
Low coverage | High coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual reimbursement | $5,000 | Unlimited, or highest available |
| Reimbursement | 80% | 90% |
| Deductible | $250 | $500 |
About the Author
Lindsay Bishop
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
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